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A series of chance encounters leads to a sizzling new romance from the New York Times bestselling author of the On Dublin Street series.

The universe is conspiring against Ava Breevort. As if flying back to Phoenix to bury a childhood friend wasn't hell enough, a cloud of volcanic ash traveling from overseas delayed her flight back home to Boston. Her last ditch attempt to salvage the trip was thwarted by an arrogant Scotsman, Caleb Scott, who steals a first class seat out from under her. Then over the course of their journey home, their antagonism somehow lands them in bed for the steamiest layover Ava's ever had. And that's all it was--until Caleb shows up on her doorstep.

When pure chance pulls Ava back into Caleb's orbit, he proposes they enjoy their physical connection while he's stranded in Boston. Ava agrees, knowing her heart's in no danger since a) she barely likes Caleb and b) his existence in her life is temporary. Not long thereafter Ava realizes she's made a terrible error because as it turns out Caleb Scott isn't quite so unlikeable after all. When his stay in Boston becomes permanent, Ava must decide whether to fight her feelings for him or give into them. But even if she does decide to risk her heart on Caleb, there is no guarantee her stubborn Scot will want to risk his heart on her....

Advance Galley Reviews

by Faith Howard, newport news

This is a enemies to lovers story with a lot of fun, sexy scenes for the lucky reader. It also has some heartbreak. Ava is dealing with the death of an ex best friend and the past she left behind. When she meets Caleb she is not at her best. They start off on the wrong foot and stay off center even though the attraction is off the charts. Caleb has his own issues. He is rude and arrogant. However, there is another side that we get to know. They spend one night together thinking it will not happen again. When fate keeps tossing them together, things get interesting. Loved the story and the characters. Overall, this is a fun read with emotion. Great balance of the two by Samantha Young.

by Melanie Lindsay, Wichita Falls

This was such a fun, light-hearted read. It had some substance as well, dealing with Ava’s, Harper’s, and Caleb’s pasts. The book balanced the light and the heavy stuff well. I enjoyed the chemistry and the distraction/escapism of the plot. This was a fun beach/vacation read, and I will check out other books by this author.

by Katrina C, Warrensburg

This was fun! I love these light hearted romance romps! Ava and Caleb were both quite entertaining to read about. I think it was quite clear to us the readers that there was meant to be more to their relationship, than it was to the characters... which is always a troop. If you enjoy a quick, light hearted romance this one's for you!

by Mona Garg, Clearwater Beach

Thanks, FirsttoRead, for my complimentary review copy.
Ava, an interior designer, has had a hard week. Headed back home to Boston after the emotional trauma of burying a childhood friend, she can’t leave Phoenix fast enough. At the airport harried, hangry, and unable to bear the thought of the miseries of coach, she is praying for an upgrade to first-class. No such luck. A man cuts in front of her and snags the last seat. Not one to back down, she confronts him. That the man, Caleb Scott, CFO of a technology company, is a hulking, handsome hunk with icy-blue eyes, the looks of a viking, and a sexy foreign accent(Scottish), doesn’t escape her notice. That doesn’t change the fact that he is unmannered, rude, and annoying. If she never saw him again, it would be too soon. But, she does...repeatedly. The dialogue and/or interactions with Caleb are alternately laugh-out-loud hilarious, sizzling hot, and emotionally heart-wrenching.
I was drawn in from the first line. Young writes in a very easy, readable style. Ava narrates, providing access to her thoughts, life, and personality. The flashbacks to her past are woven in seamlessly. All the supporting characters, even the minor ones, are so vividly described and developed, one can almost picture them.
I really enjoyed this book. It had it all : great story, fun characters, humor, drama(I was unprepared for the emotional rollercoaster), and a satisfying ending. I was pleasantly surprised to find an excerpt from another of her books included at the end and I look forward to reading more from this author.

by Jessica Armentrout, Burney

"Can we just ignore this tiny angry person and upgrade me now? The deep accented voice said somewhere above my head to my right."
Ava Breefort can't believe her luck when the rude Scot from her flight back home keeps reappearing in her life. Against her better judgement she agrees to a purely physical relationship with the arrogant Caleb and as the sparks fly, both begin to come to the realization that you can't judge a book by it's cover. Ava and Caleb are both stubborn individuals and neither want to believe that either of them could actually have feelings for the other. This was a classic enemies-turned- lovers and those always get me in romance novels.
Ava is a complex character who despite appearances, is not all put together and just likes to feel in control of what she can control. She endured many hardships growing up and came out the other end stronger and better and was an awesome, inspiring protagonist. When we are first introduced to Caleb, he is an arrogant, rude dude. Now I know the author had him be so horrid intentionally, and as the story progresses we discover he can in fact be nice and sweet. We eventually( he is a very private person) discover the awful events that led to the wall he built around his heart and these events helped me forgive some of his actions (except for the one thing he said to Ava towards the end which made me almost put the book down because I was like nooooooooooooooo sir you did not just say that)
Moving on from Caleb's faults, I will say this was a fun read! Not just a floofy romance without any depth, I enjoyed reading all about the characters backgrounds. Despite almost not finishing this, I'm glad I pushed through my anger towards Caleb and got to see how everything turned out for Ava and everyone else. I found this to be a decent read and therefore have rated it a 3.75. If it wasn't for the very hurtful comment Caleb made to push Ava away it would have been a 4. It just really rubbed me the wrong way!
This is my first novel I have read by Samantha Young but I think I will be checking out her Dublin Street series. Fight or Flight was not only a fun, romantic novel it also deals with other topics regarding self-love, tragedies, family(or lack of), and friends who are your family. I also completely adored Harper and Ava's friendship and am hoping for a novel about Harper.

by Jasmin Vasquez, Covina

I loved this book, the chemistry between both main characters was off the charts. I loved the way the author portrayed the hate-to-love trope. I want to read more about Ava and Caleb. I highly recommend people read this romance novel.

by Dani Marie, Grand Island

I received a free advanced copy of this book from First to Read in exchange for an honest review. This book was a fun, quick read. I didn't really connect with either of the main characters and some of the plot points didn't make sense. But I did enjoy the writing style and the witty conversations.

by Marie Look, Los Angeles

While many aspects of the characters and plot were not believable, this was still a fun, fast read. The whole situation continued to be very predictable from start to finish, but it was still a decent dose of escapism, and I appreciated the flirting and witty one-liners that the author tried to incorporate. That said, I didn't much care for either of the main characters as romantic leads. They were both supremely annoying in their own respective ways. The book didn't turn out to be my cup of literary tea, but I still might recommend it to a friend who enjoys a lighthearted, low-stakes romance.

by Amy Stratton, Lawton

Ava Breevort meets grumpy Scotsman Caleb Scott after he steals her first class seat on her flight from Phoenix to Chicago after a volcano erupts causing airport hell. They fight constantly but that doesn't stop them from sleeping together during the layover in Chicago.
Thinking that she'll never see him again, fate proves her wrong when a friend introduces Caleb as a houseguest. They agree to a fling until he can leave two weeks later even though they don't like each other all that much.
The book was ok. I felt that Caleb was really mean and that Ava really shouldn't have even kept talking to him. There were small points that I could see the chemistry between them and it was explained, sometimes too much, why Ava and Caleb are the way they are.
Ava's friend Harper and Caleb's brother Jamie are obvious sequel bait and I do look forward to reading it.
All in all the book was just ok. It wasn't bad but it wasn't tell all your friends how great this book is. That would be her first book I read On Dublin Street.

by Kelly Schnorrbusch, Union

Actual rating 3.5 stars
Did you see that Hallmark movie where Candace Cameron-Bure is an insufferable control freak who travels with an actual dream board? Sadly, I did, and the beginning of this book was giving me the same sort of vibes. (Oh, Hallmark Channel, why can't I quit you?!) Ava Breevort is traveling home to Boston from Arizona where she attended the funeral of her childhood best friend. She is in a mood from her visit back home and just wants to treat herself to a First Class ride home and encounters the Scottish behemoth Caleb Scott who is rude, pushy, and brusque. Ava gets shrill, Caleb gets mean, and the airline employee loses a damn backbone, so that Caleb gets that last seat in First Class despite Ava clearly being in front of the attendant first.
This incident is of course supposed to be the meet-cute, but it's really just a weird plot point, and it isn't the only one. Once it was revealed why Ava had a crappy visit back home (aside from the funeral), I was in disbelief. REALLY?! I have spent over a week trying to come up with scenarios where I would blame Ava and I'm at a loss.
I was ready to give up on the insufferable Candace Cameron-type and convenient Hot-Scot. For some reason I cannot pinpoint, I started to warm up to Caleb and eventually Ava. Perhaps it is because I ultimately imagined their casting as Joanna Garcia Swisher (Cheyenne from Reba) and Kristofer Hivju (Tormund Giantsbane from Game of Thrones because it makes me laugh).
There's some pretty good sex happening here if you're into that sort of thing and these poor, dumb souls really believed they'd be the ones to finally have sex repeatedly without growing feelings other than the tingle in their nether-regions. Once they start opening up to each other and realizing that they aren't totally the same annoying people they met in the airport, the plot gets a bit more depth. I was amused at the various ways this rugged, Scottish business-man and prissy control-freak were going to find themselves back in each other's lives to the point it was rather comical before predictable.
I liked the introduction of of Ava's friend Harper and Caleb's brother Jamie. (I'm telling you now that I am 0% surprised if another book comes out and those two get together.I felt a chemistry.) I felt that they, along with one of Ava's clients, were interesting side-characters that helped to keep me engaged, even if the storytelling was a lot of telling instead of showing. Ava would pretty much rattle off a list of what people were wearing and how a space was decorated. There were also two instances where the author had went into detail about history, to the point that it was the same event. Once to tell the readers, then the next for one character to tell another. This should have been edited better.
Overall, the story kept me reading and I would probably read another book if this became a series. 3.5 stars is what I get from a not-so-light and fluffy enemies to lovers sort of book.

by Alexandra Townsend, Fairfield

I really enjoyed this book. My only negative comment is that over time, I was really sick of Caleb. Honestly he was such an asshole and he didn't turn it around as soon as I thought he would. But other than that, it was a really fun read

by marie s, GWL

Issues with my download didn't allow me to finish this book but I will certainly look to read the rest of this book - while it may have pushed some buttons I still found it to be interesting!

by Janine Bürger de Ass, Rio de Janeiro

As usual, Samantha gives us a great story. Entertaining, witty, fun and Romantic. I recommend this book.

by Laura Fidorowicz, Ridley Park

DNF at page 80. I tried, hard, to get over how awful Caleb was in the beginning but I just don't see how he could come back from it and I don't want to invest any more time waiting for him to not be a douche.

by Julie Kulesza, Sioux Falls

Some things I liked about this book and some things I detested. Ava is a go getter people pleaser who is just trying to get home after going to a child hood friends funeral. She meets Caleb Scott, a obnoxious rude scottsman who steals her seat on the plane. Caleb was hard to like at first, he was rude as hell and detestable. They get stranded together in an airport and even though they hate each other at first sight they decide to have a one night stand. Which to me was odd, you bicker and snip at each other but yet want to tear each other’s clothes off. I find it hard to be attracted to someone who repulses me, but that’s just me I guess. Ava makes it back home and low and behold who is also staying temporarily in her city, non other than Caleb. They agree to keep sleeping together with no strings attached. They have great sexual chemistry and half way through the book things start to change between them. I didn’t really like either characters back story, they both had pretty crappy past relationships that caused a lot of heart ache and hurt that I didn’t overly care for but I guess it made them who they are today. It ended decent and I really liked Ava’s friend Harper and I hope she gets a story some day, she really needs a HEA.

by Nicole Dumas, Oro valley

This book grabbed my attention from page 1! (TW: physical/emotional abuse) First off, it starts in Sky Harbor airport in Phoenix, AZ (I'm from AZ) so I was already intrigued. MC, Ava, meets this hot Scottish guy, but he's pretty rude from the get go (not making a good first impression here). Don't stop reading here! Turns out, the Bastard Scot has a softer side, even though it is hidden under many, many layers of hard outer shell. This book had some hot, steamy romance; well written sexy times ;). It also had some hard hitting themes in it as well. I may have cried while reading this a few times; not going to lie. I think the author did a good job at making the reader hate and love Caleb all at the same time. I was just as confused as the MC. It definitely falls under the enemies to lovers trope, but if that's your jam, then this book is for you! Overall, I loved this book so much and I really want to read more about Caleb and Ava! I don't normally read books like this and I think I may have to start! I will definitely be picking up more of Samantha Young's books now!

by Jenna Cossitt, Batavia

A light read about two strangers who keep running into each other and end up hooking up. I like the back stories, though the romance scenes were a little over the top for me. Over all 3 stars out of 5.

by Moira Balow, Kingsland

I was only about 135 pages in before my download expired. I thought I would love this- independent woman, sexy Scottish man but the way they were with each other was quite annoying. I hate you, you’re so rude but so hot so I want you but I’ll keep telling you how annoying you are even while sleeping with you. Ugh.

by Brittney Baltera, Iowa

This book was so good! Loved it!

by Liz Carpenter, South Bend

Don't let the cover fool you, this is not a completely fluffy romance. Samantha Young knows how to bring the angst, but she does it so well. In this enemies-to-lovers story, you've got Ava and Caleb, two fairly mature adults with their own sets of baggage. What starts out as a one-night stand eventually evolves into a friends-with-benefits situation, and then … you can probably guess. They've got a lot to work through, but watching them do it is lots of fun, and they bring along an enjoyable group of side characters. Highly recommend if you need something compulsively readable, this could easily be the book for you.

by Christy Appleby, Hummelstown

I thought this romance was really cute. I liked the chemistry between Ava and Caleb. I loved the device of using the layovers to develop the relationship between two characters that would otherwise loathe one another. It's well-written and fun (in the best possible way cheesy) romance. I would definitely recommend for a fun, light read.

by Mary Ingram, Dallas

I could not put this down. Caleb and Ava were witty and interesting characters. I felt like they were really driven by their motivations from their past experiences and that was fantastic because sometimes twists such as in this book will not ring true. I need my own personal Caleb. He is definitely one of my favorite swoony Scots that I have read-Sorry Jamie- and I personally would love to see more books featuring these two. If you like enemies to lovers then this book is right up your alley. Seriously 5 Stars!

by Rebecca Baldridge, Wurtland

Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite romance tropes, but it really needs certain elements to work (at least for me), and those were missing here. Fine, Caleb is sexy, gorgeous, has a great accent, etc, etc. He's also completely inappropriate and a jerk. The whole he said something horrible, but he's sooo sexy just grew tiresome. And Ava just rubbed me the wrong way for most of the book. In fact, I never managed to warm up to either of these characters and spent a lot of time just wanting to tell them to grow up. The book did have it's moments and I found a few chuckles, but on the whole, I think it's safe to say that this one clearly wasn't for me.

by Naina Soni, Washington

This was such a feel-good, cute, fast read (though there are some scenes meriting a trigger-warning). Fight or Flight follows Ava and Caleb as they meet again and again over the course of several months. They hate each other with quite a passion but nonetheless find themselves gravitating to each other (and hooking up with quite a passion too).
Both Ava and Caleb, the two main characters who despise one another yet enjoy a steamy one night stand together, are unlikeable at times throughout the novel, though their witty back and forth is somewhat redeeming. Nonetheless, all the characters in the book experience some kind of growth over the course, and I think is a book that isn't meant to be taken very seriously. I also would have liked some characters to be given some more background and time, like Caleb. Ava's family situation is droned on and on about, and it feels like Caleb is short-changed.
I was surprised by the quality of the writing. Normally I find romance books to be written very basically, but the quality was good and I was hooked. This is the first I've read of Samantha Young, but I'm now going to check out her other books especially when I'm in a slump or bad mood.
Thank you to First To Read for my ARC of the book.

by Gaby Gutierrez , San Ysidro

I really enjoyed this book. Read it in two days.
It's my favorite kind of relationship to read or watch, reluctant to fall in love.
They hated each other, they tolerated each other, they liked each other, they loved each other, they hated each other, they loved each other. The perfect romance cycle.
Had a great tie reading it, I clearly need to move to Scotland!

by Jennifer S., Hillsboro

This book was such a fun and quick read. The characters, although frustrating at times with their combative relationship, provided growth as the story continued. The different stories that the characters told were intertwined beautifully. They each had their own obstacles to overcome and you were able to relate to at least one of their struggles. I would definitely recommend this book as I could not put it down.

by Michelle Routhier, Southern Pines

This is an enemies to romance with insta-lust layered in. Ava and Caleb meet at an airport when he steals her first class seat. Flight delays mean they are thrown together several times. I really enjoyed this book. I adored Ava and her friendship with Harper. On that note, I need a book for Harper. I enjoyed Caleb for the most part. I felt their connection and was rooting for them. I want to go read all the books by Samantha Young now.

by Myriam Doo, Monterrey

Imagine yourself after the worst possible week-end, you finally get to the airport to catch a fly back home and some one cuts in line right infornt of you, keeping you from getting the last first class sit on the plane (because you always fly first class duh!).
So the universe not satisfied with keepeing you from getting home (thank you Mr Volcano in Europe) keeps crossing your path with this rude man, so does this leads to something else?? Do I need to say more???
I am a hopless romantic, and a destiny beliver so is not surprise that I read this over a weekend. Is a very easy read so if you are looking for something to distract yourself form the real world and are in the mood for something girly grab this book!! This was my first Samantha Young book and I will definetly read something else from her.

by Tammy Ollivier, Portland

Overall this latest offering from Samantha Young was a pleasant read. I didn't love the characters and at times found them both to be unlikeable, however it did not detract enough to stop reading. We follow Ava and Caleb after meeting at an airport (instant hate) and then through multiple situations in which they coincidentally keep getting thrown back together. It is the typical love to hate trope but it engaged me enough.

by Shekenah Keith, North Hollywood

This was my first Samantha Young book and I liked it for the most part. It's a pretty standard enemies to lovers contemporary romance with a few dramatic moments sprinkled in. I wasn't expecting some of the more dramatic moments, but I feel like they are were handled fairly well. It's a bit lacking in flow, but I do like the depth it added to the characters, even though I do feel like Caleb's backstory and trust issues weren't thoroughly explored. I know people are mentioning the characters and how unlikable they can be, but as someone who's read A LOT of contemporary romance novels, they are pretty par for the course.
Now I will say that there are a few moments in the book that raised my hackles. Caleb is an alpha male so typical alpha male behavior is sprinkled throughout the book. I don't really have an issue with such characters since it is a commonly used trope in the genre and I know what to expect. However there is excessive arm-grabbing and one particular moment mid-love scene that annoyed the heck out of me. I get what Young was trying to convey (the passion, desire etc), but just no. No on so many levels. It's unfortunate because while it didn't make me stop reading it did leave a bad taste in my mouth which lasted throughout the rest of the book.
With all that said, while it's not changing the romance genre and I side-eye the excessive alpha male behavior, I did like it. It's what I was expecting and was a good buffer book for me.

by Sandra Reilly, Pen Argyl

Ava is gorgeous -- blonde with a perfect build and a beautiful face, she puts a lot of effort into her looks not to impress others, but to impress herself. Ava's skirt suits and perfectly-applied makeup make her feel good inside and out, and if anyone else appreciates the view then that's good for them. Ava has no problem being single; she has her best friend, Harper, a six-figure salary for a job she loves, and a meticulously designed expensive apartment in Boston. Caleb, on the other hand, is 6+ feet of blond Scottish muscle with the stubble and tattoos to go along with it. No one would guess he's the CFO of a major tech company, especially considering how impolite he is, but it turns out he's got the brains and the brawn. When Ava and Caleb run into each other at the airport, literally, it's hate at first sight. Caleb is rude, obnoxious, and wouldn't know what "chivalry" meant if it knocked him in the head. Against all odds, though, the two keep crossing paths until it seems that fate must really want them to try to hash out their differences. And they find just the way to do it -- friends with benefits. Both Ava and Caleb have complicated pasts, so it's easy for the two of them to lose themselves in a no-strings-attached setup. But when the line between casual fling and true friendship starts to blur, it only gets more difficult for both to ignore their true feelings. With one of them making the same mistakes over again and the other not able to put the past where it belongs to take a chance on love, it seems like this unlikely duo is bound for heartbreak.
Thoughts: It's not a surprise that I finished this book in a day. It was a cute, fun read, for the most part. I enjoyed Ava's character, even though she has an unhealthy way of dealing with life's stressors. Earth to Ava: Throwing yourself into york is not the answer! Caleb, however, is a total jerk at the beginning of the book. And the middle of the book. And a little bit at the end, except for the epilogue. It's like the guy just can't help himself. He knows exactly the wrong thing to say and when to say it to cause the most damage. And lest we forget he has no concept of the words "please" and "thank you". Ava may be able to look past it, but not this former waitress. And how he talks to Ava sometimes just drove me nuts. I ended up enjoying their dynamic by the end, but it really took some time for Caleb to win me over. How Ava could let some of his shenanigans go is beyond me. But, alas, it was still an enjoyable, light read with witty banter, strong chemistry, and a somewhat unique storyline to pull it all together.

by Celine Brown, Wichita

This one started off shaky for me. I didn't like the hero Caleb, and wasn't sure if he could be a character I would want to end up with the heroine. As the book went on, I saw a different side of him and understood more about why he reacted to Ava the way he did. As Ava and Caleb went from enemies who have hate sex to friends with benefits, I found myself drawn into the story. It ended up being a very sweet. I felt like it Ava's journey to overcome her past and willingness to take risks again paired with her great friendship was just as engaging as the romance (maybe even more so) and really put this book in the great category for me.

by Lisa Van k, Redondo Beach

I appreciate having been able to read an advance copy of this book. I’m not a huge fan of romance novels, and thought this would be more of a romantic comedy. Although there is some humor, it has much more sex and lust in it than I care to read.
The characters are well described but I was put off (as Ava was) by Caleb’s rudeness and haughtiness. His behavior never improved much; she just grew to understand him from a different perspective. I also disliked how often he would grab Ava by the arm or bicep, once to the point of arousing a glance by a passer by. It gave me vibes of abusive behavior, and considering there’s already outright abuse with Ava and Vince, we should be rooting for Caleb, not questioning his behavior. Maybe it was just me.
I loved the strong female friendships in the book, including those with Stellla, Patrice and Harper. I thought those friendships mirrored a few of the kinds that you develop in life after you’ve been in the real world a while. In fact, near the end of the book there’s a scene with Ava and Harper that I thought was the ending, and I was satisfied. Then I turned the page and there was another chapter and it did end on the subject of Caleb and Ava after all. I thought it could have been a stronger book if it had continued in the direction of Ava finding out what she wanted in a relationship, and admitting the value of the relationship with Caleb for what she learned from it. Both Ava and Caleb grew as people in the book, and I liked that aspect, but I would have been fine focusing only on Ava in the end.

by Houn Abdulrazak, New Fairfield

A fun and quick read, this was the type of light book that is difficult to put down. Ava and Caleb's story of chance meetings, low key longing, and lots of humor made this a romance that doesn't take itself to seriously. I liked this realistic aspect of it. Of course, Caleb is fantastically rich, but whatever. I also appreciate a single perspective, as I find the trend among books nowadays is multi perspective, and that gets old fast.

by Kim prestley, berwyn

Not a fan of this book. Didnt even finish it. Didn’t like Caleb and the constant running into each other drove me nuts.

by Nicole Booz, Seattle

Overall I enjoyed this book. It was a quick read and nicely paced. There is depth to the characters that's nice to see in a romance novel. Though, there is some questionable behavior (a lot of arm grabbing) that I wasn't a major fan of. I think it was unnecessary to the story. This is my first Samantha Young novel and I'd like to read more! 4/5 stars.

by Sarah Perchikoff, Caledonia

Okay. Let's start off with a little bit about me. I love romance novels. Everything from Pride and Prejudice to the smuttiest of smutty smut (which can also come in a Pride and Prejudice variety). Give me all of it. What I don't want are assholes! (Get your mind out of the gutter!). I am tired of romance books that feature men that are clearly supposed to be heroic/romantic/protective, when really they are just abusive, controlling asshats. And that brings us to Fight or Flight by Samantha Young. While my opinion of this book is probably pretty clear at this point, I do want to break apart the good and the bad.
Ava is a hardworking (possible workaholic) interior designer who happens to get stuck on a layover on her way back from Arizona to her home in Boston. She happens to be sitting next to this rude af Scottish dude, Caleb and they end up sleeping together, knowing they will probably never see each other again.
Except that wouldn't be a very long story, now would it?
Caleb turns out to be friends with one of Ava's favorite clients, Patrice. When Ava meets Patrice for lunch, Caleb happens to be there too. Patrice figures that Caleb is new to the area and will be staying in Boston for a few weeks and that Ava could help show him around.
While Patrice's intentions are fairly innocent at first, she does want to get Ava and Caleb together. Little does she know, they already know each other quite well.
The book goes on to show how Ava and Caleb come to an understanding that they will have sex but nothing else can be involved. No relationship whatsoever. This is tested multiple times throughout the story. Someone else will offer information about Ava and/or Caleb's past and they will feel like they're getting too close for what their set boundaries entailed.
But, of course, Ava catches feelings. We don't really know when Caleb first starts to feel something for Ava because the story is from her POV but it's clear from the ways he tries to push her away that he does feel something for her about midway through the book.
Overall, I liked Ava. She had been hurt in the past, had a very tumultuous childhood, but didn't let that stop her from caring for people. I particularly like her friendship with Harper. They are close. Ava mentions a number of times throughout the book that because she does not like her family and they do not treat her properly that Harper is the only family she has. Harper is a pastry chef who has worked her way up to where she is, just like Ava. And Harper has had bad relationships and an ugly family history as well. Their bond was probably my favorite part of the book.
Ok. Now let's get to the stuff I had a real issue with. Caleb is controlling and in my mind, abusive. There are multiple scenes where he grabs Ava when she is trying to leave or steps in her way to stop her. There is a scene where it's described as "he shook me a little and I pressed against his arms in an attempt to rush ahead." He. SHOOK. HER. She was trying to get to her friend who was hurt and he stopped her to tell her not to get out of a moving car and HE SHOOK HER. There is another scene where it is described that Caleb grabs Ava's arm and walks her off a bridge. What's with all this controlling behavior?!?!?!
Oh and that's not all. There is a scene where they are about to have sex and Ava doesn't realize Caleb is not wearing a condom until he is inside her. She reminds him that she wants him to wear one but he doesn't stop (sorry) fucking her. He keeps going until she reminds him again and then he goes and puts one on. WTF IS GOING ON?! How is this okay? How am I supposed to root for this couple to end up together? I genuinely thought this was going to be a book where they broke up and that would be the end, but NO.
There is also a description in this book I see in a lot of romance novels that I tend to have a problem with. Or maybe problem is too strong of a word? I just don't understand it. Ava describes how Caleb makes her feel by saying "he made me feel small, fragile, feminine..." Why is this a good thing? When I'm with someone, I want them to make me feel strong and secure. Not fragile. If you can explain this to me in a non-misogynistic way, please do.
Oh and after they get into a huge fight whereby Caleb pretty much implies that Ava meant nothing to him, he sets up a lie to get her to see him again. Isn't that fun? Isn't that romantic?! I am screaming!!!
Needless to say, this was not my favorite book. I am giving Fight or Flight 2 out of 5 stars. Ava and Harper's relationship and how they help each other was the only saving grace I can find in this book.
Thank you to First To Read and Berkley Books for this free ARC in exchange for my honest review.

by Rachel Cohen, Clermont

I have been a big fan of the author so I was excited to read this book.
I will admit when I started I was a little bit worried. It was slow to get off the ground, no pun intended. But once I got moving I really loved the characters.
Ava and Caleb were perfect together. Ava was kind of hard to relate to it first. There was a lot of backstory we were not being given and we really needed it to love her and want to support her.
Samantha Young has built such complex characters in the past and I expected both characters to have these layers and dementions that I just felt were lacking.
Once we “meet” the real Ava and Caleb it was easy to route for them and want them to have a HEA. Sadly it took to long for the story to get there.

by A L, USA

The novel was generally predictable. Ava and Caleb had a somewhat forced chemistry. The stakes near the end was unnecessary. The couple makes obviously bad choices in order to further the plot. If you're looking for a fun, short novel to read, this is it. It is enjoyable in its simplicity and its entertainment value.

by Allison Scott, Norman

I am a big Samantha Young fan, and while this didn't live up to her Scotland series, I did really enjoy it. Really fantastic chemistry between the two main characters, I just wish Caleb had been a LITTLE less of an overall jerk. It didn't go way too far, but I do think it could have been toned down a little and still have had plenty of angst for the plot.

by Tamara Estes, Centerville

I have no review for this book. But I do for first to read.
I’m sure this book is excellent but it’s near impossible to download. So I have no idea if it’s good or not. I’ll go back to netgalley. :/

by Adriana Gonzalez, San Diego

The first two thirds are super fun, with great banter and hot sexy times. The last third suddenly gets incredibly real and the drama grows exponentially. It was a bit abrupt and suddenly felt like I was reading a different book altogether. It was still enjoyable, but disconcerting.
I really like Ava and her best friend Harper. The "bastard Scot" who is our romantic lead had moments where I really didn't like him and he dishes some serious emotional abuse on our heroine, but Young manages to create some leeway for him and give acceptable reasons for his behavior. I still don't think Ava should have forgiven him so easily, but there had to be a HEA.
Overall, there's a little bit of everything in here and the slow revealing of several background elements made for some neat character development.
My one big note is that there should be a big abuse trigger warning on it because it is not pretty. Consider this a warning.

by Tammy George, Highland

Raise your hand if you feel like Caleb Scott got one too many chances. He was constantly telling Ava what he didn't want and then walking away only to come back to her for more. Unfortunately Ava took him back every time. I wish we could have seen Ava seriously dating someone else in the in-between. I did like their meet cute on the plane and their quickie night in the hotel.

by Alina Popescu, Bear

When I saw that Ms Young had a book coming out, I couldn’t wait to read. When I saw the premise, I wanted it even more! I have to say that it was wonderful.
The story starts with the heroine, Ava, who’s traveling home from a funeral of a friend from the town she was born in. The visit was an absolute nightmare and she only wants to get home. While rushing to get her ticket upgraded she’s almost run over by a dude, Caleb, the hero. Hilarity ensures, for us, as they start insulting each other and make their lives hell on the airport. They finally manage to take off, with an added layover, and they are seated together. They have amazing chemistry and have a one night stand.
At first, Ava seems a bit cold and reserved and a bit hard to sympathize with, but as the story develops so does she. We learn of her childhood and how it put its mark on her, we learn what caused her to move far from home and what caused the break between her fiancé, her best friend and her. She’s a strong, passionate person and I would love to call her friend.
Caleb is a bit of an asshole, a lot of one really. He comes of like an entitled prick that considers everyone beneath him. He’s not, but it’s a gradual reveal since the story is from Ava’s POV and we only see him as she does. I loved that even after they slept together, she didn’t have stars in her eyes.
I loved the book and the secondary characters, and I kinda want a few characters to get stories as well. Ms Young made me cry, laugh and fall in love with all her characters and now I need more. If you’re in the mood for a good book that doesn’t have the often used “the great misunderstanding” trope, this one is it!

by Isabell Munowenyu, London

A well written read. The chemistry between the two lead characters was very good even though Calab was a jerk throughout a lot of the book. I did feel he should have grovelled more/ Ava should have taken some time before taking him back given how much he hurt her before the reconciliation. His issues/ reasons for rejecting her were pretty cliche but I suppose standard in romance novels.

by Jen K, Jerome

Thank you First To Read for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Fight or Flight by Samantha Young. I really enjoyed this easy to read to novel as the story kept me wanting to continue on. I will say at first I wasn't too crazy about Caleb's character, but as the story went on he became more likable. Ava and Caleb meet in an airport while both are trying to be upgraded to a first class seat on their flight. Arguments between the two come on full blast, right along with the sexual tension and they end up in a relationship without the commitment. Through all this they are both in the process of working on overcoming things that have happened to each of them in the past.

by Phyllis Gronewold, Louisville

I really enjoyed this book; it was just what I was in the mood for at the time. Ava and Caleb's initial meeting and dislike leads to lots of funny banter as along with the dislike, they find intense sexual attraction to each other. They face many ups and downs as they navigate their emotions along with the baggage each has from the past. The book has good character development and dialog; it has humor, romance and steamy scenes - great for a fun, light read. Thanks Penguin First to Read for the advance reading copy.

by Angela Rodriguez, Lancaster

This is another fun yet sweet love story by Samantha Young. I was a bit put off by Caleb but I loved Ava’s strong character. In my opinion, Ava makes this book the joy to read.

by Aditi Rajput, Indianapolis

I have mixed feelings about this book. It started out cliched and grew deeper, with backstories and dwelling into feelings. But *spoiler alert* but its actually no spoiler that the story ends in a cliched arc. I wish it hadn't.
This is a single girl who doesn't want attachment and is in fact scared of attachment. She has a one night stand, her first, and surprise, he walk back in her life. They have a no strings attached fling. I Understand he's Scottish and crummy as hell, and she falls in love. That part was good. But then, Harlequin! She wants to make him realize he loves her, he has a past and hence he doesn't want to commit. Same old. Ugh. Except for the last few chapters I thought its a progressive modern story. But - "spoiler* she takes him back a second after he comes back, after the shitty treatment he gave earlier? and they join the Mile high club? No!
3 stars for the great mid chapters and a woman protagonist a liked.

by R Mathura, Riviera Beach

This novel was well-written. However, the actions of the main characters for most of the book made them very hard to like. Caleb treats his staff and servicepeople badly, as do his others in his world. Ava lives well beyond her means and makes no apologies for it. The novel does try to deal with physical abuse, drug abuse and abortion which are heavy topics for a romance novel. All in all I don’t think I would have been pleased if I had purchased it.
Thank you to First to Read and Penguin for the opportunity to read this free ad an email copy in exchange for an honest review.

by Lissa Jackson, Bloomington

Caleb and Ava meet in first class on a flight rescheduled due to a volcanic eruption in Iceland. A steamy one night stand leads to an interesting arrangement once the Scottish Caleb relocates to Ava’s hometown of Boston. At first, I was not a huge fan of these characters, however, as the book progressed I really began to root for their relationship and really enjoyed the rest. My only quibble is that I would have liked to see a more of Caleb’s side of events as by the end, I wasn’t quite sure he had suffered enough. This is a fun, emotional read though. I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

by Deanne Deneke, Barberton

I didn’t want to put this book down or for it to end! I fell in love with the characters and their stories! The author did a great job with the character development and making you care for each character and their individual outcomes. A fun, steamy, easy to read, romance for anyone who enjoys them!

by Anita Boeira, Salt Lake City

When I first met this book, what I felt towards it was probably the same that Ava and Caleb felt towards each other in the beginning as well. Insufferable, mean, rude book. I didn't like it at all. I might have liked Ava a bit more at the beginning if she wasn't so beautiful—tough luck, "I'm so pretty no one can see I'm smart." And Caleb, honestly. What a rude jerk. But... I kept reading. I give a book at least 100 pages chance every time, and by then, I got to know the characters a bit better, and even started to like Ava (even though I could not relate to her at all) and her friendship with Harper. Caleb was another matter, but towards the end of the story, when I was crying my eyes out ("and I don't even like you!" I screamed at the book), I could see how the build up of his character the way it was, added to a pretty emotional scene—a scene which I read three times in a row because I am apparently a sucker for punishment.
So... did I like this book? I think I enjoyed reading it. There were some really good writing in there, and some very well built tension and characters. I am more curious about Harper and what will be up next for her, though, so if this is a series, I may need to pick up the next one too.
But I'll leave this review with the same request I end a lot of romance novel reviews: can we have more nice guys in romance novels? Not "nice after you know him" nice, but truly nice from page one heroes. K, thx.

by Jamie Poston , Cookeville

Ava and Caleb meet in an airport and their instant dislike and banter was so much fun. They found each other when they most needed and least expected. Their pairing was so much fun and the journey to a happy ending was painful and exciting as the reader. The ending was abrupt but happy and leaves me hoping it is a cliffhanger to another story. I very much enjoyed this book.

by Jessica Stroke, San diego

I just love Samantha Young books.
The beginning of this book kind of annoyed me, because the banter was a little over the top. I almost DNF'ed it, but I am SO HAPPY I didn't. As I got to know the characters' back stories, I fell in love with both Ava and Caleb. Samantha Young does a good job at developing flawed characters in a way that the reader is just so invested in them. My heart ached at times for what a few of the characters went through during the story and during their past. Just so many different emotions in the best of ways.
This book has heart, sex appeal, and so much love. I'm really hoping we're going to get Harper's story next, possibly with Jamie? Yes, Samantha Young I'm talking to you! Haha.
Thanks to Penguin First to Read for the ARC!

by Marla Hanover, Kansas City

I had so much fun reading this book. I really got to know the characters and came to care for them. When a book brings out emotions in me then I know it's good. I laughed out loud and I had tears running down my face. At first the Ava and Caleb don't get along. Caleb is a brute of a Scotsman. But they soon have an attraction that they can't avoid. Their personalities and backgrounds slowly are revealed which makes you like them even more. Lots of sex in the book but it made sense for how strongly these two were pulled together. Very well written. I would read anything by Samantha Young and I would read this again because I liked the characters so much and that says a lot since I rarely read a book twice.

by Amanda Forrest, Roswell

“Fight or Flight” is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. Full of emotional ups and downs, I couldn’t stop reading. I had to find out what was going to happen next. Samantha Young exhibited exactly what happens in a relationship, from the fun and flighty-ness to the breakup and turmoil. Captivated by the life story of Ava, I felt I could connect with her through her every choice and feeling. Caleb’s standoffish additude made me hate him from the start. But by the end, I came to like him as much as Ava. Wonderful and fun read!

by Amanda M., Rock Hill

DNF—I dislike Caleb so much that I can’t finish this one. Maybe it improves later in the book, but I can’t make myself keep reading.

by Shilpa Mudiganti, Fort Lee

Ava is an epic pushover and Scott is an epic jerk. Under the trope of enemies to lover, the author tried creating a story with such unlikeable characters that I found no motivation to read beyond 30%. Scott is a Scottish guy who has no qualms about treating people as shit. He has no manners, is very rude and apparently every girl drops her panties at a mere look at him because he is such a god in the looks department. Ava is a self-pitying, shallow, career woman who takes pride in living way above her means while complaining about the everything in her life. Oh and did I mention she loves the sympathetic attention she gets so that she can act a martyr?
May be the story gets better later and I have finished books that started really bad only to redeem itself with a great rest of the story but this book’s writing also felt so uninteresting that I completely gave up. A lot of telling including details like color of the curtains. Plus, it felt like the author just wanted to fill in the pages with words.
I am usually not this critical of a book. An author puts a lot of effort in to writing one but sometimes, one can clearly notice the lack of care in producing a quality product. Reading this book felt like I am wasting precious moments of my life reading a sub standard book instead of a good one. I really like this author but this book is just plain disappointing.

by Laurie White, Macomb

I was looking forward to reading this and unfortunately I am having difficulty downloading it. It's acting like I already downloaded it and will not allow me to do it again, something about a license agreement. I don't know. This is my first time using First To Read, and I am not sure exactly what it did wrong, but I will definitely follow the directions more closely should I be selected again. I have contacted the sites and no one had responded back to me. Since I still am quite interested in reading this I am hoping I can just pick it up at another time once its published and write a proper review once finished. So far the reviews look promising for this book and I can't wait to read it as well.

by Nicole Tacchite, Brunswick

3.5*
Hate to love tropes are my favorite so a romance novel featuring that sign me up! This was a cute, steamy read while having much more depth then the usual fluffy romance novels. It addresses some tough topics which made the characters seem more realistic. I flew through this book and enjoyed both the main characters; Ava and Caleb. I look forward to the next book by this author!
Thank you Penguin First to Read for the free e-arc!

by Gretal McCurdy, Maple Falls

I really struggled with this book. I just couldn't connect with the characters at all, and actively hated them at times. I wish I would have liked them, but unfortunately I didn't and there are way better romances out there.

by Ashley Robinson, Fayetteville

It feels like contemporary romance is a dime a dozen nowadays, especially with the success of works like Crazy Rich Asians. When I got this copy, I expected the same old, same old. You know, boy-meets-girl, boy-doesn't-like-girl, feeling-is-mutual, it-all-works-out-in-the-end. And while that's not wrong, it's also not quite RIGHT, either. And it's that space in between where this book soars.
The book follows Ava, an interior designer, when she encounters Caleb, a Scottish CFO during a layover. They disagree immediately, but can't deny their mutual attraction. The book follows their relationship as it develops into, perhaps, something more. The writing is witty and fast, and beyond that, it's just GOOD. I was so impressed with Young's writing and her pacing; she moves the book along at a good clip, but doesn't do so at the sacrifice of poignancy and emotion. It's a surprisingly hard trick, and it's one that Young does so well.
But this book isn't just will-they, won't-they, oh-they-did-and-it's-steamy. It also tackles tough issues like abuse and abortion. Whether the book does this in a pro-woman, feminist way is up for debate, especially since the hate-to-love trope is one that engenders (well deserved) debate. But I appreciated the depth, and I think romance readers will, too.
Overall, I highly recommend this book for contemporary romance fans, and I would be surprised if this didn't become a huge hit when it goes to market. Well done, Samantha Young! I look forward to the next read!

by Susan Graves, la crosse

I was provided an advanced copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.
This was a cute, quick and fun read. I enjoyed getting to know the two main characters; Ava and Caleb immensely. To be honest I wasn't sure if I was going to like this book. When the book first started I was wondering where it was going and if it would be just a book filled with sexual innuendo with no back-story. I appreciated the author building both characters back story and releasing it over the course of the book in little bits and pieces.

by Alissa Nance, Newbury Park

I thought this book would be sweet, fun, and a bit spicy, since it involves enemies-to-lovers. I had a difficult time getting into this book, because I felt that Caleb was a bit too agro. He's rude to wait staff, entitled, doesn't communicate well, and can be a bit too aggressive. I was already struggling with his character, but I couldn't stand him after he talked about his ex "killing his baby." Modern romance readers are savvy and I can't see them putting up with such a gross viewpoint in their love interests.
I'll also say that this book need another round of editing. There were some superfluous plot points that really did nothing to forward the story. This could have been a good book, but it ultimately didn't work for me.

by Stacey Bruneau, Branford

I had a hard time with this book, and the main reason was Caleb. He's rude, entitled, and basically treats Ava horribly. When the flight was over and mutual friend brings them together once again, I was surprised Ava would even agree to it.
Caleb does get better as the book progresses, but it didn't start off well for him and, frankly, his turn around wasn't believable. It's hard to buy that he could be the man he started out as and then do a one eighty for no apparent reason.
I liked Ava, but felt she could have done better than Caleb. I enjoyed the concept of the story, and the story overall, but I would have enjoyed it more if the Caleb at the end of the book was the Caleb readers got to see throughout the whole book.

by angelica perez, germantown

I couldn't enjoy this book as much as I would have liked and the main reason is that Caleb is a is a complete and total jerk for absolutely no reason. He is disrespectful, he is entitled, he is and he's a hypocrite to top it all off.
And yes, having a kind of rude love interest is a constant trope in the genre (although I will never understand why) but Caleb in particular just didn't have that many redeemable qualities. He was mean for the sake of being mean. He constantly misjudged Ava for her appearance and called her names and yet would constantly remind Ava that she didn't know him and therefore shouldn't make assumptions.
Caleb also kept calling her 'babe' and checking her out even after she asked him to stop. And Ava then only gets annoyed for about a second because his good looks apparently cancel out his horrible behavior?
Overall, he just did a lot of things that if anyone did/ said that to me in real life I would feel really uncomfortable and so would most women.
Then there was Ava. She's the 'snarky' protagonist that always 'stands up for herself' when men try hitting on her. She does usually through cheesy dialogue. And sometimes she doesn't do it all considering the times she puts up with most of Caleb's crap. And you might say that she does talk back to him at times, which is true. But then she goes and ignores that as she checks out his oh so gorgeous physique, and I just wasn't having it.

by Cami Myers, Janesville

I had a hard time getting through the first chapter or two of the book because I felt the characters were superficial, but I continued reading because I was curious about how the author was going to develop the relationship between the two main characters.
I was impressed by the turn around the story took, and even more impressed by how the author was able to make it seem like a natural development.
Although I would consider this a quick and light read...it doesn't necessarily lack depth. The author manages to take you on an emotional roller coaster while touching on some pretty deep topics...but not delving too deeply into those topics. You start to feel for the characters but the book remains a light read.
I didn't find myself identifying with any of the characters which typically is a huge turn off for me, but I gave it a chance and I wasn't disappointed.
If you're looking for a quick & fun read for your next trip and you enjoy fast romance I would recommend this book.

by Katie B, Texas

3.5 stars
I'll admit I didn't get off to the best start with this book because I found Caleb to be such a horrible person, he almost didn't feel realistic. However, as the story progressed and you learned more about the characters and their backstories, I warmed up to him. Surprisingly, the book had some substance and wasn't just a light, fluffy romance. That isn't to say it is some heavy, depressing drama more like the author made an effort to give the characters some depth.
Ava Breevort is flying back to Boston after attending the funeral of her childhood friend. She has a run in with fellow traveler Caleb Scott, a rude Scot who snags the last first class seat on the plane. During a layover in Chicago, they end up in bed together despite the fact their hatred for one another is off the charts. Is it going to just be an amazing one night stand or will their paths eventually cross again? Come on, you know the answer.
I thought the chemistry between Ava and Caleb was pretty good and is what really drove the book. What I found to be really annoying was the idea that Ava was just so smokin' hot that she couldn't even go out in public without men hitting on her. Give me a break. However, this still was an enjoyable read and I'm curious to see if the author might write a sequel featuring Ava's friend Harper.
Thank you to First to Read for the opportunity to read an advance digital copy!

by Cathy Bell, Rogersville

Not being my favorite genre, but was an interesting light romance and fun, fast read. I enjoyed the snarky banter and the initial dislike between Ava and Caleb during their initial encounter. Their physical attraction leads them into a physical relationship and progressing through their flawed characters and back stories to true fulfilment. Great end of summer read. Recommend if you love fun but twisting romances.

by Susan Wille, Palm Harbor

Great book. All the characters were interesting. Great love story and chemistry between Ava and Caleb. A great beach book. An easy read, yet it held my interest.

by Veronica Kutys, New York

This was so good. Both main characters felt real which doesn't always happen. What sets this apart from the the other books in this category is the range of serious issues they touch on while not making it a dark book.
Some of the other characters were really fascinating and added another layer to both Ava and Caleb. I'm hoping for a spin off for at least one of them.

by Polly Maltry, Freeport

I read Fight or Flight by Samantha Young in less than a day. Even though everyone knows what will happen at the end of contemporary romance books, I was hooked and couldn't wait for the happily ever after. The main characters, Ava and Caleb, had great dialogue and chemistry. This was a well paced book which left me waiting more. Thanks to First to Read for an ARC copy!

by Lynn Pallaske, Aberdeen

I love books like Fight Or Flight and how I know they will leave me feeling happy and filled with hope. I admired the journey they both had to take and that they had to do it for themselves. Love is never easy, but is so worth it in the end. Thank you to Firsttoread and the publisher for a chance to read the ARC. I will be reading more from Samantha Young after this experience.

by Sarah Wilson, Norman

I would give this 5 out of 5 stars.
I loved it! Total page-turner! The refusal to acknowledge their deep connection just had me pulling my hair out and I was ready to jump out of my seat by the ending.
The writing style was fabulous, the characters realistic and perfectly flawed, the backstories solid, and the plot was compelling. The hate-to-love-to-hate-to-love genre really speaks to me, and this one did not disappoint.

by Sara Conrad, Fox Lake

This was a really good read, the story and characters kept me engrossed page after page. I love a good romance novel and Samantha Young certainly delivered with that, it feels like everyone in the book was carefully fleshed out and not one character was left behind. I was hoping that Harper would end up with Caleb's younger brother, but her story was gut wrenching and I hope Young gives her her own book and writes her a HEA.

by Katie Fulton, Wilmington

I expected this book to be a funny little adventure of two people who start at hating each other and end up falling in love. I was surprised to find myself crying during Harper's part of the story. Overall I felt it was a fun and light read, which I could use after my recent choices. I enjoyed that the back story of the main characters wasn't just "oh someone broke my heart" but a legit story. It really added to both of the characters for me.

by Jill Hart, Bellevue

I've been excited about reading this book since I read the description several months ago. Plus, that cover is adorable! I happily got my hands on a copy through First Reads and thoroughly enjoyed the story. Young's writing is superb and the dialogue between character is great. I will say that the ending felt somewhat unsatisfying simply because it felt rushed. Outside of that, this was a great story with quirky, memorable characters.

by Ginny C, Atlanta

I loved this! Ava and Caleb were fleshed out characters with backstories which makes these kinds of romances so good. Funny and sexy.

by Maria Rodriguez, Los Angeles

I’ve been eyeing this book since I saw it on Amazon a couple weeks ago and I’m so happy I got an ARC of it!
I loved the story! Ava and Caleb were really easy to like and I loved their back and forth banter with each other. I thought the characterization was well developed and they both have semi-complicated pasts that are revealed throughout the book that explained why they acted the way they did. The writing was really great and I was glued to it from the start. I appreciated how the book had a couple of time jumps (a couple weeks) so it didn’t drag the plot on too much and we can see the difference those weeks made between both of them. Some parts of the story were a little predictable, but it didn’t take away from how cute the story was.

by Molly Keogh, Baltimore

I liked the book, particularly the second half, but I didn’t love it. The complicated backstories for each of be characters felt a little forced and detracted from the relationship between Ava and Caleb.

by Kezia King, Ellicott City

This book was so good that I became completely engrossed and read it all in one evening. I really loved the characters and different kinds of relationships in the story. I have never read anything by Samantha Young before, but this certainly won’t be the last. She managed to make the story cute and fun but serious at the same time.

by Kerri Hughes, Cary

Fight or Flight follows Ava, a Bostonian interior designer, as she encounters Caleb, a Scottish CFO, on a flight layover and the repeated encounters that the universe throws their way afterwards. It's disagreement at first sight, but the physical attraction is enough for them to start a relationship that - whether they want it to or not - may develop into something more.
Most folks will go into this expecting a great romance, and that's exactly what they're going to get. The angst, the tension, the sex scenes, it's all done so damn well. But beyond that, this book tackles so many other serious issues, including domestic abuse, sexual assault, cheating, abortion and found family. It has so much more heart than you would expect from what looks on the outside to be a fluffy, smutty story. The relationships and characters themselves are so much more complex than the typical romance story. And even though it tears out your heart and stomps on it repeatedly, the ending leaves you smiling and satisfied.
One hundred percent would recommend this to anyone looking for a heartfelt, sweet and sexy romance! (Also, there was a perfect set up for a Jamie or Harper spin off and I AM HERE FOR IT)

by Deejaye Miller, dayton

This book is fantastic! The writing is witty, and fun. The dialogue between Ava and Caleb was a pure joy to read. The chemistry between them was scorching hot! I loved the hate-kind of like dynamic between them. I do wish this story was told from both of their perspectives but I still loved every word of this book! Fight or Flight is a super sexy and I couldn't put it down once I started it!

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